6 Best Gaming Headset For Loud Environments
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Gaming in a noisy environment is not only distracting but can interfere with your gameplay as well. And, without a proper noise-canceling microphone on the headset, it can become impossible to communicate with your team members. For competitive eSports players, proper communication with all the members of their party is a must. Otherwise, the lack of communication can cause them to lose the game.
Fortunately, there are many gaming headsets that are suitable to wear in loud environments. In this article, we will discuss what to look for when buying a gaming headset for a loud environment and review some of the best ones.
What to consider when buying a gaming headset for loud environments
1. Active Noise Cancellation – Headsets that feature Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology are recommended for use in very noisy environments because they can cancel most background noise and provide a clearer listening experience.
Unfortunately, headsets that feature ANC are expensive and are more suitable for music lovers than gamers because they lack features like surround sound and are rarely compatible with gaming platforms such as PS4, Xbox One, or Nintendo Switch.
2. Microphone – The quality and type of microphone in your gaming headset is very important. Headsets that feature a loud, noise-canceling microphone or a similar technology can help you communicate clearly with your team members even in loud environments.
3. Design – For gaming in loud environments, it is crucial to choose a closed-back headset that provides good passive noise isolation. The headset should also be comfortable to wear for long durations.
4. Features – Good gaming headsets often support features such as surround sound, RGB lighting controls, separate in-game sound and chat sound controls, etc. A lot of it would depend on your preferences.
A comparison table of the best gaming headsets for loud environments is listed below:
| Name | Bose QuietComfort 35 II | Razer BlackShark V2 Pro | Turtle Beach Elite Atlas | HyperX Cloud II | SteelSeries Arctis 7 | Redragon H510 Zeus |
| Connection type | Wireless | Wireless | Wired | Wired | Wireless | Wired |
| Surround sound type | No | THX Spatial Audio | Windows Sonic | Virtual surround | DTS Headphone:X v2.0 surround sound | Virtual surround |
| Weight | 8.4 oz | 11.2 oz | 2.2 oz | 13 oz | 13 oz | – |
| Design type | Closed Back | Closed Back | Closed Back | Closed Back | Closed Back | Closed Back |
| Noise cancellation mic type | Noise-rejecting dual-microphone system | Hyperclear Supercardioid | noise-canceling mic with Truspeak™ technology | noise-canceling mic | noise-canceling mic | noise-canceling mic |
| Compatible devices | PC, Mac, Mobile | PC, Mac, PS4, Nintendo Switch | PC, PS4, PS4 Pro, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch | PC, Mac, Mobile, Xbox One (with Stereo Adapter) PS4, Nintendo Switch | PC, Mac, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch | PC, Mobile, PS4/3, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch |
| Price | Latest Price on Amazon | Latest Price on Amazon | Latest Price on Amazon | Latest Price on Amazon | Latest Price on Amazon | Latest Price on Amazon |
#1 Bose QuietComfort 35 II (Best Active Noise Cancellation)
The Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless is one of the most popular and affordable wireless headsets that features Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology, voice assistant support, and onboard controls. This premium wireless headset is great for music lovers who love to listen to music while on commutes and for mobile gamers who want to play games while traveling or when stuck in traffic.
With 3 levels of ANC control, you can turn the setting to the highest to block most of the background noise when playing games at a crowded public location or turn it off when you are at home. The dual noise-rejecting microphone does a good job of eliminating background noise and picking up clear voice during calls or chatting. Since the mics are in-built, you won’t look weird wearing the headset in public.
Unlike most gaming headsets, the design of the Bose QuietComfort 35 II is not too flashy. The ear cups create a good seal around the ears, which results in good passive noise isolation. However, they are not tight and are quite comfortable to wear. And, with a battery life of 20 hours, you can game all you want without worrying about losing power.
To get the best gaming experience, it is recommended that you use this headset in the wired mode as the wireless mode can introduce some latency. Plus, you should also keep in mind that the headset is fully compatible on only PC, Mac, and mobile platforms. When connected to the PS4 controller or Xbox One, the microphone won’t work. The lack of surround sound is also worth noting.
Overall, this headset is perfect for people who want to buy a premium ANC headset for listening to good quality music and gaming on PC, Mac, or their mobile.
Pros
- Exception ANC performance
- Excellent for mobile gamers
- Great for listening to music as well
- Dual Noise-rejecting microphone
Cons
- Limited support on popular gaming platforms such as PS4 and Xbox One
- Lack of surround sound
#2 Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Gaming Headset (Best Microphone)
The Razer BlackShark V2 Pro is the premium wireless version of the popular BlackShark V2. It features the same Razer Triforce Titanium 50 mm drivers for clear vocals and powerful bass. The Flowknit memory foam ear cushions have a breathable weave that minimizes sweat and heat build-up generated by skin contact. The improved density of the ultra-soft foam helps to reduce the clamping force of the headset.
The eSports headset runs on 2.4 GHz wireless connection to sustain high-speed transmission and extremely low latency. Thus, you can be rest assured of a stable wireless connection.
The Supercardioid mic of the BlackShark V2 Pro is a big improvement over the Cardioid mic of BlackShark V2. The detachable 9.9 mm mic is tuned for a more focused voice pick up and rejects more noise from the side. It’s also more sensitive to low frequency and recreates the voice much better.
The headset doesn’t support ANC. However, the advanced passive noise cancellation design aided by plush cushions fully covers your ears and forms a perfect seal to provide greater sound isolation. However, the passive noise isolation is not as good as the BlackShark V2.
The THX Spatial audio can be turned on to improve immersion and in-game awareness. It’s a next-gen surround sound technology developed by Razer that provides true-to-life acoustics and greater positional accuracy. The THX Competitive Mode game profile can be selected to improve spatial awareness in game whereas the THX Environmental Mode game profile can be selected to create truly lifelike immersion when playing games.
Overall, the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro is recommended for gamers that want a wireless headset with the best mic possible. You may also choose the BlackShark V2 that also features a good microphone, provides better noise isolation, and is much cheaper. However, it’s not a wireless headset. Another alternative is to choose the BlackShark V2 X which is the cheapest version but features the same Cardioid mic as BlackShark V2.
Pros
- Stable wireless connection
- Detachable Hyper Clear Supercardioid Mic
- THX Spatial audio
- Comfortable fit
Cons
- Isolation is not as good as previous models
- Expensive
#3 Turtle Beach Elite Atlas Pro (The value-for-money pick)
Turtle Beach is a well-known brand and the Turtle Beach Elite Atlas Pro is one of the most popular headsets on their product line. The headset features a steel suspension-band that is connected to the earpads via thick plastic hinges. The hinges can be easily rotated to adjust the fit of the headset. Plus, it also sports many replaceable parts that can be purchased from their official website. These include the ear pads, the cords, and the attractive plates on the side of the headsets.
The earpads of the Elite Atlas Pro are made of soft fabric and leatherette. Thus, you can expect a comfortable fit even when wearing it for long durations. The device sports a noise-canceling mic with Truspeak™ technology which removes background noise incredibly well. However, it is not loud and you need to turn the mic-volume all the way up to experience clear communication. When chatting on Zoom or Discord, it is recommended that you use a sound tuning app to boost the volume by 10-20 dB to get the best experience.
The device is fully compatible with PC and Xbox One and partially compatible with PS4 and Nintendo Switch. This is because the Windows Sonic virtual surround sound technology is only supported on PCs running on Windows 10 and Xbox One.
The Windows Sonic virtual surround sound technology breathes a new life when playing games such as Dauntless and Animal Crossing: New Horizons. But the stereo sound quality of the headset is also quite good and they are a blast to wear when playing games such as Wolfenstein, League of Legends, Battlefield V, and Fortnite.
The sound quality of the Elite Atlas Pro is also great which makes it suitable for listening to your favorite music or watching movies. And, it also performs well during calls. Overall, the Elite Atlas Pro is the best pick for PC or Xbox One gamers with a budget that want a durable headset that is also comfortable to wear and wants to play primarily in a noisy environment.
Pros
- Replaceable parts
- Comfortable fit
- Durable
Cons
- The band is a little tight
- Mic could be louder
#4 HyperX Cloud II (Best Comfort)
The HyperX Cloud II is one of the most popular gaming headsets in the market today. The super combination of price, comfort, sound quality, and design makes it a crowd favorite. The robust aluminum frame of the device is flexible and built to last. You can expect the device to survive a few drops.
The headset features ear cups with memory foam cushioning and headbands coated with leatherette, the combination of which provides a supremely snug and comfortable fit.
Plus, users also have the option to swap the memory foam on the ear cups with a plush velour alternative if they want to. It’s recommended for glass wearers that love to play games for long periods.
The closed ear cup design provides great passive noise isolation and blocks unwanted background noise quite well. The detachable noise-canceling boom mic is TeamSpeak and Discord certified and does a good job of filtering background noise and delivering clear vocals when chatting.
The Cloud II supports 7.1 virtual surround sound on PC and Mac and Stereo sound on PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices. To get the best experience, you have to turn the surround sound on because it makes it easier to notice enemy footsteps, distant shootouts, gunfire, and explosions. However, the Stereo performance of the device is also quite well when playing games such as Assassin’s Creed Unity and Titan fall. The only shortfall of the headset is the lack of bass during explosion scenes.
Overall, the Cloud II is perfect for gamers who want a very comfortable headset and want to game in a noisy environment.
Pros
- Extremely comfortable
- Choice of two types of ear covers: plush and pleather
- Lightweight and stylish design
- Good noise isolation
Cons
- Bass is not good
- Lack of software for customizing the sound
#5 SteelSeries Arctis 7 (The best wireless)
When it comes to wireless gaming headsets, the SteelSeries Arctis 7 is one of the better ones. The product supports DTS Headphone:X 2.0 and PC gamers can utilize the full extent of this 7.1 surround sound technology with SteelSeries Engine 3 to experience true-to-life 3D audio when playing games.
The Arctis 7 features a Discord-certified mic that delivers studio-quality voice clarity and background noise cancellation. However, the mic could be better for the price. It’s good for chatting in game and on apps like Discord but falls a little short during phone calls.
The 2.4 GHz wireless RF USB dongle can be used to connect to PC, PS4, and Nintendo Switch dock in the wireless mode. Alternatively, you can use the 3.5 mm cord to connect the device to your mobile, undocked Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One via the controller.
The earpads of the Arctis 7 feature airweave fabric which is almost as comfortable as velour. The elastic velcro suspension-strap that it comes with makes the headset easy to adjust to obtain a snug fit. Thus, it is comfortable to wear the headset for long periods. The ear cups of the headset also provide a decent seal around your ears and offer decent passive noise isolation.
The sound quality of the headset is good but can become overwhelming for some users due to the overemphasized bass. Overall, the Arctis 7 is a good choice for users who want a budget wireless headset with surround sound technology and a mic that supports decent noise cancellation.
Pros
- DTS Headphone:X 2.0 Surround Sound
- The connectivity options are good
- Comfortable fit
Cons
- Overemphasized bass
- The mic is not great for the price
#6 Redragon H510 Zeus (The Budget-friendly pick)
The Redragon H510 Zeus is the most budget-friendly option in this list but performs admirably when you take the cost of the product into account. The ear cups of the headset are fitted with leatherette and memory foam that provides a comfortable fit even during gaming sessions that exceed a few hours. Unfortunately, it is not suitable if you have big ears since the ear cups are too small. The device is durable due to the steel-frame but it is still recommended to use the device carefully to prolong its life-span.
The headset features 7.1 surround sound technology but it is not as great as the more premium options, which is to be expected. However, the detachable noise-canceling USB condenser mic performs surprisingly well and does a good job of filtering background noise and delivering clear audio. The earpads are thick and snugly fit over the ears, creating a tight seal that offers good passive noise isolation.
The sound quality of the device is as expected of a product in this price range. It is decent and offers a balanced sound signature. However, users who love bass would be disappointed. Another thing to worry about is the installation process which is a bit of a hassle since they need to be followed to the letter.
Overall, the Redragon H510 Zeus is the best pick for gamers on a budget that want to game in a noisy environment.
Pros
- Good USB condenser mic
- Affordable
- Good passive noise isolation
Cons
- Small ear cups
- Deemphasized bass
Conclusion
It is not impossible to play games in a noisy environment if you use the correct headset. The most important factors to look for are good noise isolation to filter background noise and a mic that supports ANC to deliver clear audio. And, if you have the budget, you may also purchase a premium ANC headset to cancel background noise. However, it is also important to note that premium ANC headsets are made for music listening and not for gaming.
Aside from that, it is also important to choose a headset that is comfortable to wear for long periods, compatible with the gaming platform of your choice, and supports features like surround sound if you want to have the best experience possible.
